Long-term oral administration of Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract attenuates airway inflammation and Th2 cell activities in ovalbumin-sensitized mice

Our previous report demonstrated that the oral administration of short-term high dose Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract (5 g/kg per day for 7 days) decreased allergic reactions in ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized mice. The aim of this study was to determine whether long-term oral administration of G. pentaphyllum attenuated airway inflammation in OVA-sensitized mice.     

Toxicity assessment of crude and partially purified extracts of marine Synechocystis and Synechococcus cyanobacterial strains in marine invertebrates

Among the Cyanoprokaryota, the genera Synechocystis and Synechococcus have rarely been studied with respect to potential toxicity. This is particularly true with marine environments where studies about the toxicity of cyanobacteria are restricted to filamentous forms at the warmer temperate and tropical regions and also to filamentous forms at cold seas such as the Baltic Sea. In this study, we describe the effects of cyanobacterial strains of the Synechocystis and Synechococcus genera isolated from the marine coast of Portugal, on marine invertebrates. Crude and partially purified extracts at a concentration of 100 mg/ml of freeze-dried material of the marine strains were tested for acute toxicity in nauplii of the brine shrimp Artemia salina, in the rotifer Brachionus plicatillis and in embryos of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus and the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. The cyanobacterial extracts, especially the crude extract, had an impact on A. salina nauplii. No significant toxic effects were registered against the rotifer. A negative impact of all strains was recorded on the embryonic development of the sea urchin, with toxic effects resulting in an inhibition of embryogenesis or development of smaller larvae. To the mussel embryos, the effects of cyanobacterial extracts resulted in a complete inhibition of embryogenesis. The results of all assays indicate that Synechocystis and Synechococcus marine strains contained toxic compounds to marine invertebrates.     

Anti-asthmatic effect of schizandrin on OVA-induced airway inflammation in a murine asthma model

Asthma comprises a triad of reversible airway obstruction, bronchial smooth muscle cell hyperreactivity to bronchoconstrictors, and chronic bronchial inflammation. Clinical and experimental findings have established eosinophilia as a sign of allergic disorders. In the present investigation, we evaluated the anti-asthmatic effects of schizandrin and its underlying mechanisms in an in vivo murine asthmatic model. To accomplish this, female BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA), and examined for the following typical asthmatic reactions: increased numbers of eosinophils and other inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF); production of Th1 cytokines (such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in BALF); production of Th2 cytokines (such as interleukin IL-4 and IL-5) in BALF; presence of total and OVA-specific immunoglobulins (Ig)E in serum; presence of oxidative stress; hyperplasia of goblet cells in the lung; and marked influx of inflammatory cells into the lung. Our results collectively show that schizandrin exerts profound inhibitory effects on accumulation of eosinophils into the airways and reduces the levels of IL-4, IL-5, IFN-γ, and TNF-α in BALF. Additionally, schizandrin suppresses the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a dose-dependent manner, and inhibits goblet cell hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration in lung tissue. Thus, schizandrin has anti-asthmatic effects, which seem to be partially mediated by reduction of oxidative stress and airway inflammation, in a murine allergic asthma model. These results indicate that schizandrin may be an effective novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of allergic asthma.     

Potential therapeutic effect of Allium cepa L. and quercetin in a murine model of Blomia tropicalis induced asthma

Background

Asthma is an inflammatory condition characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness and chronic inflammation. The resolution of inflammation is an essential process to treat this condition. In this study we investigated the effect of Allium cepa L. extract (AcE) and quercetin (Qt) on cytokine and on smooth muscle contraction in vitro and its therapeutic potential in a murine model of asthma.

Methods

AcE was obtained by maceration of Allium cepa L. and it was standardized in terms of quercetin concentration using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In vitro, using AcE 10, 100 or 1000 μg/ml or Qt 3.5, 7.5, 15 μg/ml, we measured the concentration of cytokines in spleen cell culture supernatants, and the ability to relax tracheal smooth muscle from A/J mice. In vivo, Blomia tropicalis (BT)-sensitized A/J mice were treated with AcE 100, 1000 mg/kg or 30 mg/kg Qt. We measured cell influx in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) in lungs, serum levels of Bt-specific IgE, cytokines levels in BAL, and lung histology.

Results

We observed a reduction in the production of inflammatory cytokines, a relaxation of tracheal rings, and a reduction in total number of cells in BAL and EPO in lungs by treatment with AcE or Qt.

Conclusion

AcE and Qt have potential as antiasthmatic drugs, as they possess both immunomodulatory and bronchodilatory properties.     

Agglutinin isolated from the red marine alga Hypnea cervicornis J. Agardh reduces inflammatory hypernociception: Involvement of nitric oxide

Hypnea cervicornis agglutinin (HCA), a lectin isolated from the red marine alga has been previously shown to have an antinociceptive effect. In the present study in rats, mechanisms of action of HCA were addressed regarding mechanical hypernociception induced by carrageenan, ovalbumin (as antigen), and also by prostaglandin E₂ in rats. The lectin administered intravenously inhibited carrageenan- and antigen-induced hypernociception at 1, 3, 5 and 7 h. This inhibitory effect was completely prevented when lectin was combined with mucin, demonstrating the role of carbohydrate-binding sites. The inhibition of inflammatory hypernociception by HCA was associated with the prevention of neutrophil recruitment to the plantar tissue of rats but was not associated with the inhibition of the release of pro-hypernociceptive cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and CINC-1). HCA also blocked mechanical hypernociception induced by PGE₂, which was prevented by the administration of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors. These results were corroborated by the increased circulating levels of NO metabolites following HCA treatment. These findings suggest that the anti-hypernociceptive effects of HCA are not associated with the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine production. However, these effects seem to involve the inhibition of neutrophil migration and also the increase in NO production.     

Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of a mucin-binding agglutinin isolated from the red marine alga Hypnea cervicornis

The agglutinin from the red marine alga Hypnea cervicornis (HCA) was tested in models of nociception and inflammation. The role of carbohydrate-binding sites and the systemic toxicity were assessed. HCA (10⁻¹, 1, and 10 mg/kg) administered i.v. to mice inhibited writhes induced by acetic acid and, at 10 mg/kg, inhibited the second phase of the formalin test, but did not alter the response latency in the hot-plate test. HCA (1 mg/kg) administered i.v. to rats reduced carrageenan-induced paw edema at 1, 2, and 3 h after challenge, but not edema induced by dextran. The neutrophil migration induced by both N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) and carrageenan was inhibited by HCA at 10⁻¹, 1, and 10 mg/kg. The combination of HCA (1 mg/kg) and its ligand mucin reversed the lectin inhibitory effect on carrageenan-induced neutrophil migration and acetic acid-induced writhes. The i.v. treatment of rats with HCA (1 mg/kg) for 7 days did not affect body mass; liver, kidney or heart wet weight; blood leukocyte counts; urea, creatinine or serum transaminase activity; or macroscopy of the organs examined. In short, H. cervicornis agglutinin showed important antinociceptive and anti-inflamatory activity via interaction with the lectin carbohydrate-binding site.     

Occurrence of aflatoxins in mahua (Madhuca indica Gmel.) seeds: Synergistic effect of plant extracts on inhibition of Aspergillus flavus growth and aflatoxin production

Occurrence of aflatoxin in Madhuca indica Gmel. seeds was determined by competitive ELISA. Eighty percent of mahua seed samples were found to be contaminated with aflatoxin. Total aflatoxin content ranged from 115.35 to 400.54 ppb whereas the concentration of AFB₁ was in the range of 86.43 to 382.45 ppb. Mahua oil was extracted by cold press expeller and analysed for contamination of aflatoxin in both the oil and cake samples. Total aflatoxin and aflatoxin B₁ were 220.66 and 201.57 ppb in oil as compared to that in cake samples where it was 87.55 and 74.35 ppb, respectively. Various individual and combined plant extracts were evaluated for their efficacy against growth of Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin production in vitro. Combination of botanicals were found to be more effective in controlling fungal growth and aflatoxin production than individual extracts. Results of the present study suggests that synergistic effect of plant extracts can be used for control of fungal growth and aflatoxin production. These natural plant products may successfully replace synthetic chemicals and provide an alternative method to protect mahua as well as other agricultural commodities of nutritional significance from toxigenic fungi such as A. flavus and aflatoxin production.     

Brown alga Ecklonia cava attenuates type 1 diabetes by activating AMPK and Akt signaling pathways

The antidiabetic therapeutic effect of Ecklonia cava, a brown alga, was investigated using streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes mellitus rats and C₂C₁₂ myoblasts. The methanol extract of E. cava (ECM), having a strong radical scavenging activity, significantly reduced plasma glucose level and increased insulin concentration in type 1 diabetes mellitus rats. Moreover, the elevation of plasma ALT in diabetic rats was dramatically restored near to normal range by the treatment of ECM, whereas AST level was not meaningfully altered in any group throughout the experiment. The characteristic indications of diabetes, such as polyphagia and polydipsia, were greatly improved by ECM treatment as well. The mechanism of action of ECM appears to be, at least partially, mediated by the activation of both AMP-activated protein kinase/ACC and PI-3 kinase/Akt signal pathways. Taken together, the present results suggest that E. cava has both in vivo and in vitro antidiabetic effects.     

Toxigenicity of enniatins from Western Australian Fusarium species to brine shrimp (Artemia franciscana)

The high prevalence (14 of 24 isolates) of enniatin-producing isolates from Western Australian Fusarium species isolated from pasture legumes associated with sheep feed refusal and rat deaths, and the high toxicity of their crude extracts to brine shrimp (Artemia franciscana) from a previous study warranted further investigation of this class of mycotoxin. Crude extracts from Fusarium acuminatum, Fusarium avenaceum, Fusarium tricinctum and Fusarium sambucinum, along with enniatins A, A1, B and B1 purified from a Western Australian strain of F. acuminatum using semi-preparative HPLC, were bioassayed using brine shrimp. All Fusarium isolates produced both enniatins B and B1, except for F. tricinctum WAC 8019, and 11 of the 17 isolates produced enniatin A1. Overall, all of the F. avenaceum isolates produced high amounts of enniatins, in particular enniatin B. One isolate of F. acuminatum (WAC 5715) and of F. tricinctum (WAC 11486) also produced high amounts of both enniatins B and B1. Only F. acuminatum WAC 5715 produced enniatin A among the tested isolates. All four purified enniatins A, A1, B, B1, individually and in combination, caused brine shrimp toxicity after 6 h of exposure, implicating that this emerging class of mycotoxin as a cause of the acute toxicity to brine shrimp observed. The mixture of all four enniatins was the most toxic to brine shrimp compared to purified individual enniatins, where the relative toxicity order was B > B1 > A1 > A. Enniatin B was the individual most toxic enniatin with some bioactivity at 5 μg/mL and almost 100% brine shrimp death at 50 μg/mL after 24 h of exposure. This study is the first report to confirm the acute toxicity of enniatins A, A1, B and B1 to brine shrimp, and also highlights the need for further investigation of the potential toxicity of these cyclic hexadepsipeptides to animals and humans.     

Inhibitory effect of kefiran on ovalbumin-induced lung inflammation in a murine model of asthma

Kefiran is a major component of kefir which is a microbial symbiont mixture that produces jelly-like grains. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic availability of kefiran on the ovalbumin-induced asthma mouse model in which airway inflammation and airway hyper-responsiveness were found in the lung. BALB/c mice sensitized and challenged to ovalbumin were treated intra-gastrically with kefiran 1 hour before the ovalbumin challenge. Kefiran significantly suppressed ovalbumin-induced airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR) to inhaled methacholine. Administration of kefiran significantly inhibited the release of both eosinophils and other inflammatory cells into bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and lung tissue which was measured by Diff-Quik. Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-5 (IL-5) were also reduced to normal levels after administration of kefiran in BAL fluid. Histological studies demonstrate that kefiran substantially inhibited ovalbumin-induced eosinophilia in lung tissue by H&E staining and goblet cell hyperplasia in the airway by PAS staining. Taken above data, kefiran may be useful for the treatment of inflammation of lung tissue and airway hyper-responsiveness in a murine model and may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of allergic bronchial asthma. These two authors made equal contribution to this work.     

Trypanocidal,leishmanicidal and antifungal potential from marine red alga Bostrychia tenella J. Agardh (Rhodomelaceae,Ceramiales)

Specimens of the red alga Bostrychia tenella J. Agardh (Rhodomelaceae, Ceramiales) were collected from the São Paulo coast and submitted to room temperature solvent extraction. The resulting extract was fractionated by partitioning with organic solvent. The n-hexane (BT-H) and dichloromethane (BT-D) fractions showed antiprotozoal potential in biological tests with Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania amazonensis and presented high activity in an antifungal assay with the phytopathogenic fungi Cladosporium cladosporioides and Cladosporium sphaerospermum. Chromatography methods were used to generate subfractions from BT-H (H01 to H11) and from BT-D (D01 to D19). The subfractions were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and the substances were identified by retention index (Kovats) and by comparison to databases of commercial mass spectra. The volatile compounds found in marine algae were identified as fatty acids, low molecular mass hydrocarbons, esters and steroids; some of these have been previously described in the literature based on other biological activities. Moreover, uncommon substances, such as neophytadiene were also identified. In a trypanocidal assay, fractions BT-H and BT-D showed IC₅₀ values of 16.8 and 19.1 μg/mL, respectively, and were more active than the gentian violet standard (31 μg/mL); subfractions H02, H03, D01 and D02 were active against L. amasonensis, exhibiting IC₅₀ values of 1.5, 2.7, 4.4, and 4.3 μg/mL, respectively (standard amphotericin B: IC₅₀ = 13 μg/mL). All fractions showed antifungal potential. This work reports the biological activity and identification of compounds by GC/MS for the marine red alga B. tenella for the first time.     

Polyphenolics from various extracts/fractions of red onion (Allium cepa) peel with potent antioxidant and antimutagenic activities

In order to determine antioxidant activity, the five extracts/fractions of red onion peel were studied for their total content of phenolics (TPC), flavonoids (TFC), antioxidant activity (AOA), free radical scavenging activity (FRSA), assayed by DPPH radical in the terms of anti-radical power (ARP) and reducing power (RP), expressed as ascorbic acid equivalents (ASE)/ml. High TPC (384.7 ± 5.0 mg GAE/g), TFC (165.2 ± 3.2 mg QE/g), AOA (97.4 ± 7.6%), ARP (75.3 ± 4.5) and RP (1.6 ± 0.3 ASE/ml) were found for the ethyl acetate (EA) fraction. EA fraction had markedly higher antioxidant capacity than butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) in preventive or scavenging capacities against FeCl₃-induced lipid peroxidation, protein fragmentation, hydroxyl (site-specific and non-site-specific), superoxide anion and nitric oxide radicals. EA fraction also showed dose dependent antimutagenic activity by following the inhibition of tobacco-induced mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium strains (TA102) and hydroxyl radical-induced nicking in plasmid pUC18 DNA. HPLC and MS/MS analysis showed the presence of ferulic, gallic, protocatechuic acids, quercetin and kaempferol. The large amount of polyphenols contained in EA fraction may cause its strong antioxidant and antimutagenic properties. This information shows that EA fraction of red onion peel can be used as natural antioxidant in nutraceutical preparations.     

Dynamics of glutathione-S-transferases in Mytilus galloprovincialis exposed to toxic Microcystis aeruginosa cells, extracts and pure toxins

Molluscs and especially bivalves are able to accumulate dinoflagelates, diatoms and cyanobacteria toxins, and, being vectors for these toxins, transfer them along food chains. The data obtained from laboratory experiments showed that bivalve molluscs are resistant to cyanobacteria toxins. In this work, we wanted to test if Mytilus galloprovincialis organs react to microcystins and other cyanobacteria compounds by inducing or decreasing its GST activity. Acclimated mussels M. galloprovincialis were exposed to the toxic Microcystis aeruginosa M13 strain. Exposure of mussels to toxins was done in three ways: living Microcystis cells, crude Microcystis extracts and pure toxins. The measurement of soluble and microsomal GST activity in the different mussel organs was done by using the substrates 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and 2,4-dichloro-1-nitrobenzene (DCNB). Analysis of the GST activity of the control mussels using CDNB as a substrate showed that cytosolic activity is much more significant than microsomal. Intact M. aeruginosa cells did not induce any significant response from the mussels, showing that these animals are quite resistant to the cyanobacteria if they are intact. On the other hand, cell extracts caused an important effect in the gut, in the gills and in the labial palps, although in different ways. There was an increase in GST activity in the gut and gills of mussels exposed to Microcystis extracts, showing a response of this detoxication pathway, but in the labial palps a severe reduction in GST activity occurred. Pure MC LR+YR induced an increase in GST activity in all organs but the labial palps. The results showed that other substances apart from microcystins may cause stress to mussels and affect detoxication enzymes such as GST.     

Comparative study on extracts from the tissue covering the stingers of freshwater (Potamotrygon falkneri) and marine (Dasyatis guttata) stingrays.

Stingrays are elasmobranchs found along the seacoast and in some rivers of Brazil. Pain is the most conspicuous symptom observed in patients wounded by the bilaterally retroserrate stingers located in the tail, which are covered by glandular and integument tissues. In addition, cutaneous necrosis is commonly observed in injuries caused by freshwater stingrays. The aim of this work was to characterize and compare certain properties of tissue extracts obtained from the glandular tissues covering the stinger apparatus of Potamotrygon falkneri and Dasyatis guttata stingrays. By sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), tissue extracts have similar bands above 80 kDa, but most differences were observed below this molecular mass. Lethal, dermonecrotic and myotoxic activities were detected only in P. falkneri tissue extract. Edematogenic activity was similar and dose dependent in both tissue extracts. Nociceptive activity was verified in both tissue extracts, but P. falkneri presented a two-fold higher activity than D. guttata tissue extract. No direct hemolysis, phospholipase A2 and coagulant activities were observed in both tissue extracts. Antigenic cross-reactivity was noticed by ELISA and Western blotting, using antisera raised in rabbits. Species-specific sera reacted with several components of both tissue extracts, noticeably above 22kDa. Both tissue extracts presented gelatinolytic, caseinolytic and fibrinogenolytic activities, which were not caused by the action of metalloproteinases. Hyaluronidase activity was detected only in P. falkneri tissue extract. Our experimental observations suggest that P. falkneri tissue extract is more toxic than D. guttata tissue extract. These results may explain why injuries caused by freshwater stingrays are more severe in human accidents.     

First evidence of azaspiracids (AZAs): A family of lipophilic polyether marine toxins in scallops (Argopecten purpuratus) and mussels (Mytilus chilensis) collected in two regions of Chile

Azaspiracids are a family of lipophilic polyether marine biotoxins that have caused a number of human intoxication incidents in Europe since 1995 following the consumption by consumers of intoxicated shellfish (Mytilus edulis). These azaspiracids have now been identified in mussels (Mytilus chilensis) and scallops (Argopecten purpuratus) from two Chilean locations. This is the first report of the occurrence of azaspiracid toxins in these species (Mytilus chilensis and Argopecten purpuratus) from Chile. The areas studied were Bahía Inglesa (III Region, 27° SL) and Chiloé Archipelago, both important scallop and mussels farming areas. Separation of azaspiracid (AZA1), azaspiracid isomer (AZA6) and its analogues, 8-methylazaspiracid (AZA2) and 22-demethylazaspiracid (AZA3), was achieved using reversed-phase LC and toxins were identified using a turbo electrospray ionisation (ESI) source, to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer.In mussels, AZA1 was the predominant toxin in mussel hepatopancreas with AZA2, AZA3 and AZA6 present in approximate equivalent amounts in the remaining tissues, 20-30% of the AZA1 level. AZA2 predominated in the scallop samples with the toxin almost entirely present in the hepatopancreas (digestive gland). AZA1 was only observed in some of the scallop samples and was present at 12-15% of the AZA2 levels.Whilst the levels of AZAs in Chilean samples are below the EU regulatory limit of 160 μg/kg, it is significant that this toxin is present in Pacific Ocean species. Consequently measures should be taken by regulatory authorities to implement regular seafood monitoring to ensure safety of harvested product.     

The antioxidative effect of Iranian Mentha pulegium extracts and essential oil in sunflower oil

The aim of the present study was to evaluate antioxidative activities of the essential oil, methanol and water extracts of Iranian pennyroyal in vegetable oil during storage. Different concentrations (0, 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 ppm) of essential oil, water and methanol extracts and beta-hydroxy toluene (BHT; 200 ppm) were added to sunflower oil emulsion in the presence of cupric ions and incubated for 7 days at 60 °C. Peroxide values (PVs) and thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS) levels were measured in each day up to day of seven. Furthermore, antioxidant capacity of the essential oil and extracts were determined using DPPH and β-carotene–linoleic acid methods. Values were compared among groups in each incubation time points using ANOVA. Results showed that DPPH and β-carotene–linoleic acid assay findings on the Mentha pulegium extracts were comparable to those found on BHT. Furthermore, in all incubation time points, M. pulegium extracts lowered PVs and TBARS levels when compared to the control (p < 0.001). In this respect, water extract was more potent than the methanol extract. Essential oil did not show considerable antioxidative effect. It seems that water extract of M. pulegium is a potent antioxidant which makes it as a potential antioxidant for oil and oily products during storage.     

Detection of monofluoroacetate in Palicourea and Amorimia species

Numerous plant species worldwide including Palicourea marcgravii and Tanaecium bilabiatum in Brazil cause sudden death and are known to contain monofluoroacetate (MFA). Other species in Brazil including some species traditionally assigned to Mascagnia but now properly called Amorimia species and other Palicourea species are reported to cause sudden death in livestock and are suspected to contain MFA due to the similarity of clinical signs. In this study, an HPLC-APCI-MS method to detect and quantify MFA was developed and was used to investigate plant material from field collections and/or herbarium specimens of Mascagnia, Amorimia, and Palicourea species suspected of causing sudden death. MFA was detected in Amorimia amazonica, Amorimia camporum, Amorimia exotropica, Amorimia pubiflora, Amorimia rigida, and Amorimia septentrionalis as well as Palicourea aeneofusca. MFA concentrations differ greatly between Palicourea species and Amorimia species, which may explain the incidence of poisoning and the amount of plant material required to cause sudden death between these taxa.     

LC-MS/MS as a tool for identification of bioactive compounds in marine sponge Spongosorites halichondriodes (Dendy 1905)

The sensitivity, specificity and selectivity of liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) make it an essential tool for the characterization and identification of low molecular compounds such as fatty acids, sterols, cholastane derivatives, nucleosides etc. In the current work, the marine sponge Spongosorites halichondriodes (order Halichondrida, Family Halichondriidae); a particularly rich source of cytotoxic compounds is studied for the initial characterization of bioactive compounds. The composition of ethyl acetate and butanol extracts were subjected to LC-MS and LC-MS/MS. Many novel sterol derivatives compounds which were not reported in any marine sponge mainly belonged to the group of C₂₅-C₂₈ saturated and unsaturated esters like 3β, 4β, 7α, 12α-tetrahydroxy-5β-cholan-24-oic acid methyl ester, 7 α, 12 β-dihydroxy-5 β-cholan24-oic acid methyl ester, novel isocoumarin citrinolactone A, a triterpenoid glycyrrhetinic acid as well as other unknown compounds in this species such as nucleoside inosine was identified. Other compound investigated was 3β, 6β, 7α-trihydroxy-5β-cholan-24-oic acid methyl ester. All the sterol ester derivatives are reported here for the first time in marine sponge belonging to family Halichondriidae. However, the literature report supports the occurrence of 3β-hydroxy sterols which is considered as a biomarker for this family.     

Inhibitory effects of cultured Dendrobium tosaense on atopic dermatitis murine model

Dendrobium tosaense is one of the most valuable Chinese medicines and well developed health food. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic skin disease that occurs mainly in childhood. The pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis had been studied in BALB/c mice modeling by skin-inoculated ovalbumin (OVA) with 2,4,6-trinitro-1-chrolobenzene (TNCB). These mice exhibit features of chronic dermatitis, including skin rash, mast cells infiltration, and elevated serum anti-OVA specific IgE and cytokines modulation. In this study, a standardized ethyl acetate extract of D. tosaense (DtE) was used to protect these mice from the OVA/TNCB-induced skin lesions of atopic dermatitis. The results indicated an increased population of natural T regulatory cell was accompanied by immunosuppression in cytokine profiles and anti-OVA IgE level to significantly reduce Th2 polarization. Finally, toluidine blue staining indicated mast cell infiltration and degranulation was reduced in skin lesion. Our results were shed light on the usage of D. tosaense in AD.